Mathematics
Major: Mathematics
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 45.0 (MS) or 90.0 (PhD)
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 27.0101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 15-2021; 15-2041
About the Program
The Department of Mathematics is a broadly based academic unit offering instructional programs and carrying on research activities in mathematics. Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees are offered.
Areas of research specialty among the faculty include applied mathematics, algebraic combinatorics, biomathematics, discrete mathematics, optics, analysis, number theory, numerical analysis, probability and statistics, matrix and operator theory, fluid mechanics, and partial differential equations.
Additional Information
For more information about theses graduate programs, visit Department of Mathematics webpage.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should hold a BS degree in mathematics or the equivalent and meet the University's graduate admission standards. In particular, the student should have had intensive exposure to proof oriented courses, such as real analysis and abstract algebra. Students requesting financial aid are required to take the Graduate Record Examination General Test. Because many of the core courses are two- or three-term sequences beginning in the fall, new students are typically admitted to the programs only in the fall term. Admissions standards for the MS and PhD programs are equivalent.
For additional information on how to apply, visit Drexel University's Graduate Admissions website.
Master of Science in Mathematics
Students must complete a minimum of 45.0 graduate credits for the MS degree. Of these 15 courses, the following six are required:
Required Courses | ||
MATH 504 | Linear Algebra & Matrix Analysis | 3.0 |
MATH 505 | Principles of Analysis I | 3.0 |
MATH 506 | Principles of Analysis II | 3.0 |
MATH 533 | Abstract Algebra I | 3.0 |
MATH 630 | Complex Variables I | 3.0 |
MATH 633 | Real Variables I | 3.0 |
The remaining 9 courses may be any graduate mathematics courses. In some cases, course substitutions may be made with courses from other departments. Elective courses taken outside the department must receive prior departmental approval in order to be counted toward the degree.
There are no thesis, language, or special examination requirements for the master's degree.
Students seeking a dual MS must satisfy core requirements for both degree programs.
Students should note that some departmental courses, such as Advanced Engineering Mathematics, are foundation courses and do not contribute to the departmental requirements for the degree. They do count toward the University requirements for a degree.
PhD in Mathematics
Students must complete a minimum of 45 graduate credits for the PhD degree, in addition to the 45.0 required by the MS program for a total of 90.0 credits. Of the 45.0 credits of MS program courses, the following six are required:
Required Courses | ||
MATH 504 | Linear Algebra & Matrix Analysis | 3.0 |
MATH 505 | Principles of Analysis I | 3.0 |
MATH 506 | Principles of Analysis II | 3.0 |
MATH 533 | Abstract Algebra I | 3.0 |
MATH 630 | Complex Variables I | 3.0 |
MATH 633 | Real Variables I | 3.0 |
The remaining 27.0 credits, comprising the MS segment of the PhD program, may be any graduate mathematics courses. In some cases, course substitutions may be made with courses from other departments. Elective courses taken outside the department must receive prior departmental approval in order to be counted toward the degree.
The student must pass a written qualifying exam. The student is allowed two attempts. Students must take exam at the end of their first year, and have a second opportunity in September of their second year.
Students must take a PhD candidacy exam at the end of their second year. Additional coursework to reach the 90.0 credits required for the PhD will be agreed upon with the student's Graduate Advisor. Students should note that some departmental courses, such as MATH 544 Advanced Engineering Mathematics, are foundation courses and do not contribute to the departmental requirements for the degree. They do count toward the University requirements for a degree.
Facilities
The computing resources of the Mathematics Department include servers dedicated to administrative, research and computation functions. The research server has 4 VCPS's with 8 GB RAM and 40 GB disk space; the computational server pi has the CPU 2.6 GHZ (16 core) AMD Operon with 32 GB RAM and 500 GB disk.
Graduate students and faculty have access to the main Drexel high-performance cluster: Proteus. The university block is available for general purpose computing. Overall, the facility has 2496 computer cores, 9.8 TB RAM (4 GB RAM per core).
In addition to the primary university library, the department itself has a small collection of texts and research books. It is housed in a comfortable room that lends itself to informal research meetings.